Muhammad Suleman Kakar
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Results-driven strategic and operational management professional with a focus on Peace, Conflict Resolution, Community Mobilization, and Development in Afghanistan. Proven expertise in strategic planning and team leadership has led to substantial cost reductions and improved operational efficiency. Recognized for driving business performance through innovative problem-solving and effective staff development initiatives. Aiming to leverage extensive experience to promote sustainable solutions in complex environments.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Pedagogical Director
Nayestane
Paris
04.2023 - 01.2025
- Advised the President of Nayestane in the strategic planning and execution of both short- and long-term initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Raised over $1.8 million to provide educational opportunities for 3,000 young Afghan girls deprived of education by the Taliban, funding the training and employment of 181 Afghan female teachers, and the establishment of 142 clandestine home-based schools across 22 provinces of Afghanistan.
- Improved the mental health and psychosocial well-being of 805 young Afghan girls and their teachers through the support of 11 professional psychologists.
- Developed and implemented time-bound, results-oriented plans for educational and capacity-building projects, enhancing organizational effectiveness.
- Provided technical expertise to design and improve planning, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks, leading to more effective project assessments.
- Strengthened organizational capacity through targeted training, coaching, and mentoring, while fostering improved communication and coordination with internal teams and external partners.
Consul General of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Hyderabad
08.2021 - 03.2023
- Spearheaded the establishment and operations of Afghanistan's Consulate General in Hyderabad, strengthening bilateral relations between Afghanistan and the southern states of India.
- Organized the Afghanistan Food Festival, facilitating the signing of twelve memorandums of understanding between Afghan and Indian traders, thereby enhancing cultural exchange and bilateral trade.
- Engaged with local authorities, businesses, and cultural institutions to explore and establish areas of cooperation, fostering long-term partnerships.
- Maintained consular services and support for Afghan citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted assistance, and strengthening community ties.
Deputy Campaign Manager
State Builder
Kabul, Afghanistan
08.2019 - 07.2021
- Helped the team in the process of development and implementation of the Presidential Campaign Plan, provincial outreach, and coordination of the campaign at the central and provincial levels, as well as negotiation with key political leaders and influential figures.
- Assisted the campaign manager in his work, developing a strategic communication plan, managing external relations, and mobilizing and coordinating youth, women's groups, Ulema, civil society organizations, political parties, and presidential candidates.
First Deputy to National Security Advisor
ONSC
Kabul, Afghanistan
11.2014 - 09.2018
- Facilitated direct and indirect strategic communication between the government leadership and country's political leaders, civil society and prominent tribal leaders on issues of national interests
- Assisted and advised NSA in the processes of strategic coordination of the security sector, security sector reform, community relations and facilitation of merit based senior appointments including vetting and development of human resource data bank
Senior Researcher/Program Coordinator
HCG
Kabul, Afghanistan
01.2012 - 11.2014
- Company Overview: Hambastagi Consulting Group (www.hambastagi.af)
- Conducting research on issues of development, peace, security, governance and other topics as demanded by the company
- Supervision and coordination of all research related activities including capacity building and mentoring of the research team
- Hambastagi Consulting Group (www.hambastagi.af)
Managing Director
CPAU
Kabul, Afghanistan
12.2000 - 12.2011
- Company Overview: Cooperation for Peace and Unity (www.cpau.org.af)
- Policy development and strategic leadership and management of the organization including planning, designing, implementation and evaluation of peacebuilding, good governance, research and advocacy projects and programs
- Cooperation for Peace and Unity (www.cpau.org.af)
Deputy Education Minister (Administration & Finance)
MoE
Kabul, Afghanistan
09.2008 - 02.2010
- Provided financial and administrative support to all programs, projects, units, and sub-units of the Ministry of Education (67% of the public civil service in Afghanistan).
- Directed and supervised all eight departments (Finance, Procurement, Services, HR, Logistics, Infrastructure, ICT, and Protection) according to the policies of the Afghan government.
- Delivered expert policy guidance and strategic direction to the Ministry.
Senior Advisor on Program Coordination & Social Mobilization (MoE)
MoE
Kabul, Afghanistan
02.2007 - 09.2008
- Coordinated all program activities of the Ministry of Education at the sub-national level, including the provision of technical support to the provincial education directorates, and social mobilization for the support and protection of educational institutions.
- Identified areas for improvement, narrowing focus for decision-makers in making necessary changes.
- ADD ONE MORE LINE
Senior Advisor - Reorganization, Office of the President (OoP)
OoP
Kabul, Afghanistan
05.2006 - 01.2007
- Facilitated and implemented the restructuring/reorganization of the Office of the President, including rationalizing the structure, streamlining the functions, and developing standard operating procedures for all the units and sub-units.
- Oversaw quality control to identify inconsistencies and malfunctions.
- Managed projects related to improving processes associated with delivering services or products.
Managing/Senior Program Director
CPAU
Kabul, Afghanistan
12.2000 - 12.2005
- Provided overall strategic leadership of the organization, making sure all programs and activities are in line with the organization's vision, mission, values, and mandates.
- Facilitated, implemented, and coordinated peace-building activities, research/advocacy, human rights education, and civil society development in Afghanistan.
- Researched and analyzed community needs to determine program directions and goals.
- Oversaw preparation of grant proposals for submission to potential funders.
Executive Director of Human Resources
ADA
Pakistan/Afghanistan
11.1991 - 09.1999
- Coordinated and facilitated capacity development for ADA staff.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
- Established performance metrics and evaluated staff to promote continuous improvement.
- Designed, planned, implemented, and monitored a rural development program in southwest Afghanistan.
- Promoted the sale of Afghan handicrafts (produced by Afghan refugees) through the submission of the products to local and international markets.
Visiting Tutor
RTC
Birmingham, England
04.1999 - 07.1999
- Responded to Conflict, a UK-based training institute.
- Facilitated eleven-week course on working with Conflict for an international group of development, peace, and human rights practitioners.
Marketing Manager
The Salvation Army (UK)
Pakistan
07.1990 - 10.1991
- Promoted the sale of Afghan handicrafts (produced by Afghan refugees) through the submission of the products to local and international markets.
- Implemented customer loyalty programs that increased repeat business.
- Delivered compelling sales presentations to demonstrate expert product knowledge.
Education
Master of Arts (MA) - Development Studies
Development Studies Center, Holy Ghost College
Dublin, Ireland01.2000
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Studies
Development Studies Center, Holy Ghost College
Dublin, Ireland01.2000
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Political Science and Economics
University of Peshawar
Peshawar, Pakistan01.1990
Skills
Problem-solving
Goal setting
Staff management
Program management
Managing external relations
Monitoring and evaluation
Business strategy
Process-oriented capacity development
Coaching and mentoring
Business leadership
Financial reporting
Community development
Awards
- Ambassador of Peace Award, World Peace Movement Trust, 2010, Mumbai, India
- Mirbach Khan Medal, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, 2010, For excellent performance in the Public Sector
Languages
English
Full Professional
Pashto
Native/ Bilingual
Persian
Native/ Bilingual
Urdu/Hindi
Full Professional
Timeline
Pedagogical Director
Nayestane
04.2023 - 01.2025
Consul General of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
08.2021 - 03.2023
Deputy Campaign Manager
State Builder
08.2019 - 07.2021
First Deputy to National Security Advisor
ONSC
11.2014 - 09.2018
Senior Researcher/Program Coordinator
HCG
01.2012 - 11.2014
Deputy Education Minister (Administration & Finance)
MoE
09.2008 - 02.2010
Senior Advisor on Program Coordination & Social Mobilization (MoE)
MoE
02.2007 - 09.2008
Senior Advisor - Reorganization, Office of the President (OoP)
OoP
05.2006 - 01.2007
Managing Director
CPAU
12.2000 - 12.2011
Managing/Senior Program Director
CPAU
12.2000 - 12.2005
Visiting Tutor
RTC
04.1999 - 07.1999
Executive Director of Human Resources
ADA
11.1991 - 09.1999
Marketing Manager
The Salvation Army (UK)
07.1990 - 10.1991
Master of Arts (MA) - Development Studies
Development Studies Center, Holy Ghost College
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Studies
Development Studies Center, Holy Ghost College
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Political Science and Economics
University of Peshawar
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